Progressive Rock

[onthewall2983]

In hopes of continuing the momentum from the previous thread, I thought I'd start this one with an A/V history lesson.

What better way to start off with the momentous climax to what was the most ambitious rock album of it's time, The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper Lonely Heart's Club Band. The album marked the cultural beginning of the summer of love. It (along with Frank Zappa's work with the Mothers Of Invention and what Brian Wilson did with Pet Sounds) also was an early indicator of experimentation creeping into the recording process, going as far as making the studio an instrument itself. The kaleidoscopic instrumentation, imaginative lyrics and striking artwork are crucial elements to progressive rock to this day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNsCeOV4GM

Also from 1967, this song provided a key ingredient that would be later integral to the 70's progressive sound, a clear classical influence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3iPP-tHdA

Continuing in the classical/symphonic vein, the entire Days Of Future Passed album provides a solid argument about the Moody's legacy of grandfathering the symphonic rock movement. The album also made extensive use of the mellotron, utilizing the string, voice and brass features as a counterpoint to the huge orchestral textures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9muzyOd4Lh8&

Pink Floyd are considered one of the cornerstones of the genre, not just for the music that sometimes transcended those labels ("Echoes", Dark Side Of The Moon & Wish You Were Here specifically), but as a starting point as well, being the first purely English psychedelic band. The Beatles' and Moody Blues songs were still very rooted in pop music at this time, where the Floyd were more given to very long-form jams (like in the video presented) and odd lyrical motifs miles away from "boy meets girl". Consider if you will, that their first single was about a cross-dresser's exploits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUHMltEOLds

Pre-dating his time in Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Keith Emerson first made his name with The Nice. They fused classical with film scores, and even mashing up Bob Dylan with Bach. Here is a cover of Leonard Bernstein's "America" from West Side Story, a single that Keith called the first ever "instrumental protest song". He (along with people like Jon Lord of Deep Purple) gave the Hammond organ some balls, exploring a heavier range of the instrument and also giving people like Hendrix and Townshend a run for their money with showmanship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg9jHTYZ-6U

The music on the first King Crimson album In The Court Of The Crimson King, like the Velvet Underground before them, and Black Sabbath not that much later on, represented the decaying reality of the peace movement. No song better represents this than it's opening track "21st Century Schizoid Man", with it's lyrical imagery of death and destruction and frantic musical passages that rivals any jazz or classical music. It's place in progressive rock history is as unique and game-changing, and it's influence is felt in more heavy and avant-garde rock music. And thanks to Kanye, even hip-hop now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM_G0IRLEx4

Genesis had a more mature approach, eschewing overt psychedelia and covering other people's material. Instead, the music had a more pastoral approach with lyrics steeped in English whimsy and sci-fi/fantasy influences. The album Nursery Cryme were the first to feature Phil Collins and Steve Hackett, both of whom had musical prowess that propelled their sound into more broad and epic soundscapes. This video features that line-up and was recorded I believe for Italian television. The subsequent albums Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway along with their eye-popping live performances, provided the perfect balance between adventurous musical journeys and a striking visual element (provided by Peter Gabriel's insistence on props and costumes to help with the storytelling process).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_l1M_cpqKY

Yes' Close To The Edge is a watershed moment in their career and the burgeoning popularity of progressive rock in the early 70's. That it was such a huge selling album with only 3 songs is a good indication of this. The title track (presented here) is a show-stopper in concert and to me is one of their real masterpieces. It's also notable for being the crossroads between the highly-acclaimed Fragile (which produced their first hit single "Roundabout") and the controversial Tales From Topographic Oceans, an album that divided their audience and lead to Rick Wakeman's (first) departure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcDU-vilgic

For anyone curious about the embryonic stages of the genre, I highly recommend looking up "Prog Rock Britannia" on YouTube. It features interviews with members of Procol Harum, King Crimson, Genesis, Yes and bands not cited here like Caravan, Egg, Soft Machine, Jethro Tull and ELP.

Pretentious as it may seem (and in this thread, why not), I hope to include two more lessons to show where the genre has gone since then. But for now, I hope you enjoy this and that this inspires some healthy discussion.

[Harry Seaward]

Does this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGaVUApDVuY) count?

[allegro]

I think we have to include this, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmO0OZC6Ifk

and this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH4LAitSXCM
Whoa! What happened to Greg Lake???

[onthewall2983]

Absolutely. By no means are the lessons a definitive guide, nor am I an expert on the entire genre, because there are sub-genres and bands I'm still learning about.

[mostlymad]

I really thought I could never get into progressive rock until an online friend started sending me links to Marillion songs. I adore them, and so my narrow band of music taste finally expanded a little.

[Mantra]

I really like The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. It's pretty heavy-handed with its narrative, which I normally find kind of cheesy, but I can't help liking some of the songs on there.

[onthewall2983]

As the 70's dragged on, the established progressive bands became more out of touch with their audiences, and the social climate. Especially in England where the punk movement was destined to kill off the old guard of English Rock. Some of the bands fell by the wayside but for the most part, the giants remained. Genesis were the least affected by this, having gone through the transition from Peter Gabriel to Phil Collins as front-man, the band's output by the end of the decade was becoming more commercial though still retaining some of their roots. What's often forgotten is that they were still doing longer material in the 80's, songs like "Domino" and "Home By The Sea" were stadium favorites (as well as the requisite medley of Gabriel material), as much as their radio hits. Yes became an AOR hit factory with 90125 and didn't survive as easily, due to tensions that have always seemed to have been there (even to this day, with Jon Anderson no longer in the fold). Pink Floyd survived because they were always able to rise above the "prog" label (some would even say above rock music itself), and became giants of another level, with The Beatles, Stones, Who and Zeppelin.

Robert Fripp saw the writing on the wall for what progressive music had become in 1975 by splitting up King Crimson after the release of the seminal Red. He spent the next 5 years as a sideman (and a co-collaborator with Brian Eno on a series of ambient albums), most famously on David Bowie's "Heroes". In 1981, he formed the band Discipline, featuring former KC drummer Bill Bruford with bassist Tony Levin (who Fripp first worked with on Peter Gabriel's first solo album) and singer-guitarist Adrian Belew (who like Robert, played with both Bowie and Talking Heads). By the end of the year, it was decided this new band was the new King Crimson. With the release of Discipline, it ushered a new sound incorporating New Wave influences and more modern instrumentation (guitar synthesizers, electronic drum kits and the Chapman Stick). Just as before in '69, the band was once again at the forefront of the genre, proving an old dog can still learn new tricks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Eoek8a500

Canadians Rush started out as a power trio well-versed in English hard rock. Their progressive roots started with the discovery that new drummer Neil Peart was well-versed in literature and gave him a crack at writing the lyrics. This hit a peak in 1976 with the album 2112, the title track a 20-minute suite about a dystopian future, inspired by the writings of Ayn Rand. But by the early 80's, they too saw the signs of change in the air and developed a sound which introduced New Wave and reggae influences, and excised longer pieces while still keeping the musical chemistry of the three players intact. A shift in the song-writing also happened, moving away from sci-fi and more to prescient and universal problems. Nowhere is this more evident during this period than in their 1982 hit "Subdivisions", which deals with teenage isolation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYYdQB0mkEU

At the dawn of the 90's, Progressive Metal had become a popular genre, part of the metal boom that engulfed and epitomized the big 80's. There's always been a mutual appreciation society in some respects between prog and metal. Rick Wakeman playing with Black Sabbath (later on some of Ozzy's solo albums) and Steve Harris of Iron Maiden openly acknowledges his Genesis influence come to mind. One of the first bands tagged with this label was Queensrÿche, and in 1991 they had a Top Ten hit with "Silent Lucidity", which one will never fail to hear comparisons to Floyd but I personally think it owes more to "Nights In White Satin" or "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" with it's symphonic leanings (it even references Brahms at the end), but only with a heavier sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ltMUZpMwg

Dream Theater has a more evolved sound and the scales of both metal and progressive weigh even, at their very best. In 1992, their album Images And Words gave them their first national success when the single "Pull Me Under" got heavy rotation on radio and on MTV. Due to the shift towards grunge and alternative rock, the band wasn't able to last as a mainstream act but retained a heavy live following. At the end of the decade, with the release of Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory (the sequel to the song in this video), they had gained enough of a following to rid them of any record company interference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ids4rOegI

Also from the 90's, Spock's Beard combined the influence of bands like Genesis and Gentle Giant with more pop and rock. Harmonies straight from the Lennon/McCartney playbook, mind-blowing arrangements and an energetic live performance (as such in the video linked).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03y8GvMU98g

[onthewall2983]

At the dawn of the new millenium, modern rock music had become clogged with mediocrity. Nu Metal, rap rock and the rotting carcass of Grunge were filling the airwaves. Punk had come full circle, going pop and becoming fashionable by throwaway record-company drones. If you were looking for any sense of mystery and adventure on your radio dial, between this and the pop music being pushed out, you were stuck between a rock and a hard place. But fortunately beneath all that were groups and artists that maintained a stubborn sense of integrity that avoided falling into these traps (Radiohead and NIN being the big two that come to mind). But even beneath that was a movement of progressive rock that embodies those traits, and to me no artist better symbolizes this than Steven Wilson.

Of his many projects, Porcupine Tree has been the most influential to the genre. Formed as a joke with a friend around the same time his main band No-Man was just beginning, it slowly gained traction as the tapes he was recording were sent to various members of the fringe UK musical press. The first three records are essentially Steven on his own, gradually with help from bassist Colin Edwin and Richard Barbieri. Richard and drummer Chris Maitland had played with Steven in No-Man's live band, and as that group eventually retired from performing they gravitated to Porcupine Tree's first live performances with Edwin at the end of 1993. In 1996, the quartet recorded and released the first Porcupine Tree album recorded as a band, Signify.

By the time 2000 came, they had shifted to a more song-orientated sound, away from the psychedelic trappings of earlier material. Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun was more accessible, while retaining some new and refreshing elements (utilizing saxophonist/reed man Theo Travis on the former's "Don't Hate Me" and a string orchestra on both albums). In 2002, they signed with Lava (at the time associated with Atlantic), and gained the services of drummer Gavin Harrison. They also added a more metal influence, no doubt inspired by Steven's work with Opeth, starting with the release of In Absentia in 2002. With the release of Deadwing in 2005, the band hit (arguably) a peak in this new approach, combined with vestiges from their past. This is exemplified with the track that got the ball rolling with them for me, "Lazarus".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkSsgP3gDhM

In the 80's, the neo-progressive emerged, a combination of technical prowess and dramatic recitation. Personally what I've heard from it (with one primary exception that I'll cover later), it didn't impress me as it didn't have any of the musical diversity of the bands of the previous generation. In stark contrast, what's now called "new prog" or "post-prog" has undoubtedly breathed new life in the genre, gaining audiences through gateway bands like Muse (or even Radiohead, who's been called a forefather to the genre). The sound is a nucleus of experimental/alternative bands adding elements of progressive rock to their sound, such as the case with a band like Pure Reason Revolution. Melding both male and female vocals, overt electronic influences, and spacey jams that rely more on ambiance then gymnastics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB5nyHp54CE&feature=fvst

Progressive metal was arguably re-defined when Opeth released their 2001 album Blackwater Park, named after an obscure German band who released one album thirty years earlier. Before, it was largely encapsulated with bands who copied Dream Theater, Queensrÿche and the neo-prog movement (Tool is a notable exception, proudly waving their prog influence by touring with King Crimson). Retaining their death metal roots, but expanding into more folksy and progressive territories, they paved the way for an interesting and engaging body of work since then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QwWydffbc4

The post-rock genre has shown it's influence in this recent wave of bands as well. Steven Wilson (and his No-Man collaborator Tim Bowness) cite Sigur Ros' () as an influential work, and there is a clear shoegazing influence on his first solo album, Insurgentes. It was released in 2009 by Kscope Records, a home for bands who are, according to their press release "re-establishing a desire to experiment with eclectic musical sources and state of the art widescreen sonic possibilities". One such band is Italian group Nosound, and with their 2009 album A Sense Of Loss, explored a more organic approach, utilizing a string quartet and old-school electronics to enhance a sound that owes as much to Arvo Pärt and Brian Eno as it does to Pink Floyd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4AR9HT8lg8

Marillion started as one of the pioneering neo-progressive bands, who had a UK hit (and a small U.S. hit, their only one) with "Kayleigh" from their Misplaced Childhood album in 1985. Their follow-up album Clutching At Straws garnered another hit "Incommunicado". This proved to be their last work with singer Fish who left due to business conflicts with the other members of the band. In 1989, Steve Hogarth joined the group, and released Seasons End (a personal favorite). Their subsequent identity was in some ways a contrast to the bombastic work with Fish, a move which accomodates Hogarth's more personal vocal and song-writing style. The 90's proved difficult for them to attain any of the success from the previous decade, and their work was mostly enjoyed by a dedicated fan base. It was this fan base that helped them score their first UK Top Ten hit in nearly 20 years with "You're Gone" from 2004's Marbles. It's closing track "Neverland" is a post-modern take of bands using fantasy literature for inspiration, but brought down to a very human and emotional level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWFuzjqJYpY&feature=relmfu

I can't think of a better way to end this last A/V crash course as it were with a King Crimson side project (or more appropriately, "ProjeKct") featuring Robert Fripp, Crimson alums Mel Collins and Tony Levin, with singer-guitarist-keyboardist Jakko Jakszyk (who was the front-man for a KC alumnus group, the 21st Century Schizoid Band) and drummer Gavin Harrison who played with the band on their last tour in 2008. A Scarcity Of Miracles is a melting pot of Crimson's and indeed Robert's own past and present, utilizing the jazzier elements of early albums like Lizard and Islands and his ambient work on his own and in collaboration with Brian Eno. It also may be a nod to the current climate of the genre using more minimalist and abstract influences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K59c7oIU8Oc

[PooPooMeowChow]

This thread is missing some Canterbury.
Caravan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1cAZbw_gbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HIpQscvrs

Soft Machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mh1z2oB2gg

National Health
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAPiiD72JjI

and Nektar (I love! Nektar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1i24LNre4U

[onthewall2983]

Camel
A medley from one of my favorite instrumental albums ever, The Snow Goose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTVnCyDoQlQ
A performance of my favorite piece of theirs, "Ice".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMqjrhw5UOk

[Maximilian]

I love The Snow Goose with all my heart and I've never seen that Old Grey Whistle Test performance, thanks!

[PooPooMeowChow]

Mirage, Snow Goose & Moon Madness are all great albums by Camel.

Gentle Giant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWfmfgHXAfE

Van Der Graaf Generator AKA the best prog band ever.
Love the horn effect @ 3:50 SooEPIC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzoaWrRYg98&feature=related

[onthewall2983]

I love The Snow Goose with all my heart and I've never seen that Old Grey Whistle Test performance, thanks!

You should check out (if you haven't already) the live performance of the album with a full orchestra on A Live Album.

[Reaps]

My mate has a ProgRock band (DEEEXPUS) check them out below.

http://youtu.be/RDo63P3gn_U

He's the guy responsible for getting me into Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson

[aggroculture]

Edited rant.

[onthewall2983]

Edited response.

[onthewall2983]

A newer band I really like is Sweden's Paatos. It's part of the wave of bands I mentioned earlier bringing new influences to the genre, in this case bands like Massive Attack and Portishead. Their latest record Breathing is one of my favorites from this year, a bit more rocking than earlier work but it is no less captivating and dreamy for it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JoHiD_MrY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgawrwQPy7A


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLs9YwYVjyE&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wc8ntcwMWE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v29TUkA6iA

[onthewall2983]

Probably should have prefaced that post by mentioning Renaissance, the first progressive band I know of to feature a female singer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP0rXRt5dog

[PooPooMeowChow]

this thread totally got me back into Van Der Graaf Generator
Here's Killer, one of their best songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CuOld2ldrc

I love Renaissance, their albums "Scheherazade and Other Stories" & "Ashes Are Burning" are great.

The only other early Prog band I can think of with a female singer is "Hatfield and The North" and she doesn't even sing the much.
Heres the first side of their first album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq7GTKKff50&feature=related

and from their second album, much more upbeat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9mGzcj1r2E

[Maximilian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX1iHH8C3PU&feature=related

[onthewall2983]

http://youtu.be/BsYw_nGwlOM

This looks incredible.

[PooPooMeowChow]

The funniest live album I've ever heard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux8ED6cdNYw

[spegettiwestern]

Maybe I'm just close-minded but I don't agree with a lot of these "progressive" suggestions, however I consider King Crimson probably the greatest progressive rock bands of all-time. I would definitely put Gentle Giant, Yes, Deep Purple and Parliament up there as well.

[PooPooMeowChow]

Prog is a really loose genre with it's own sub-genres.


another classic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xytcCjPoHLQ

EDIT for part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQPdHmCMvKw&feature=related

[onthewall2983]

This week's episode of VH1 Classic's Metal Evolution focuses on progressive metal. Here (http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/730355/metal-evolution-episode-11-progressive-metal-sneak.jhtml#id=1678353) is a clip from the show, airing Saturday night.

[onthewall2983]

Ian Anderson is releasing a sequel to the 1972 Jethro Tull classic Thick As A Brick in April. Steven Wilson is mixing the project, following up on the successful Aqualung re-release. He talked about it in a recent interview, and it segued into his thoughts on the recent resurgence in popularity of the original Prog Rockers..


We’re living in a time when a lot of bands are looking around and seeing that the climate has changed so much over the last 20 years. Many feel the right thing to do is perhaps go back and revisit what made their reputation. Yes famously did a return to that last year. For 20-30 years, classic progressive music was incredibly unpopular and unfashionable. I was talking to Steve Hackett about this. He feels for the first time that people actually appreciate the work he did in the ‘70s. He feels it’s only in the last three or four years that he’s begun to feel people value that work as his greatest achievement. For 30 years, he was told it was shit, that he was a dinosaur, and that the music was worthless and no-one was ever going to want to listen to that hippie stuff again. I cannot underestimate how these guys were brainwashed. Robert Fripp and Ian Anderson feel the same. They were brainwashed by the media into thinking everything they did in the ‘70s was worthless junk. It’s almost like abused child syndrome. It took a great amount of reassurance for them to begin to believe that people love that stuff and that it’s the work that their reputation will ultimately rest on.

I experienced that with Robert when we worked on the remix of King Crimson’s Lizard. He said “Why do you want to do this Steven? No-one likes the record. Everyone hates it, including me.” I said “I’m going to change people’s minds.” I’m so proud to say that happened. One of the greatest moments of my life is when that album was reissued and received astonishing reviews. David Fricke in Rolling Stone said “Lizard is revealed to be the greatest King Crimson album of all.” Mojo gave it five out of five stars. Robert was astonished. And I was vindicated because I really believed all those records that had been ignored and sidelined for years, mainly by the media, but also by fans, were really coming of age. In a sense, they were so far ahead of their time, and now is their time. They sound extraordinary. This is really key for me.

Going back to Thick as a Brick 2, now is the time for Ian to go back and do this project. He never would have considered this in a million years even five years ago, and that goes to show you how the mood and climate has changed towards this music. So, finally people like Ian, Robert and Steve feel “You know what? People do really love that work. They really appreciate it. That was my best work and my most creative period. I can still do that music and people still want to hear it.” There’s now an incredible sense of enthusiasm with regards to Thick as a Brick 2. People have told me they haven’t seen Ian this enthusiastic about a new record for a very, very long time..

[Maximilian]

The original is a great, great album. I'm kind of wary about this sequel, but I don't bother passing judgement until I hear the finished product. I know Ian's voice isn't that strong anymore, the overall musicianship should be solid. I want to hear it.

[onthewall2983]

To be honest, I've never been a huge Tull fan but am getting mildly curious about their more epic works now.

[Trains]

Not sure whether this is the thread to ask, but I'm looking for more bands with a Damnation-esque Opeth sound. Any recommendations?

[onthewall2983]

I'd try Anathema's stuff from around 10 years ago. Their latest stuff is too optimistic for a proper comparison, however. Riverside is a band I've heard a little of that might be of interest as well.

[PooPooMeowChow]

Frank Zappa is utterly amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ApXjLB00o

PS. RIP Jimmy Carl Black.

[thevoid99]

I saw a BBC documentary on Prog Rock on YouTube. It was great. Especially in how it all began and how silly it got towards the end.

[onthewall2983]

Mike Oldfield, can't forget him. Wanted to include him in the first post, but the following video wasn't on YouTube at the time. Everybody will recognize the first few minutes of this piece (especially horror fans) but the entire album is a genuine masterpiece. And it came out in 1973, 10 days after his 20th birthday. Which means technically he was a teenager when he composed and recorded it. The majority of the instruments were recorded by Mike himself. After a long climb in the UK charts, it eventually hit number one in 1974, knocking Oldfield's follow-up Hergest Ridge off the top spot.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9A60e16SvM

[themethatyouknow]

11 years ago that could have been one hell of a trip... God Damnit I hate being old.

[PooPooMeowChow]

I love this song, as odd as it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLWD75KKGA

[onthewall2983]

Steven Wilson on some latest re-releases he's had a major hand in putting together. Get your wallets ready.


The 40th anniversary stereo and 5.1 remixes of King Crimson's "Larks Tongues in Aspic" will finally be released on 15th October in 3 different editions, one of which is a collector's dream 15 disc box set with Blu-Ray and 8 CDs of live material. My 5.1 mix of Jethro Tull's "Thick as a Brick" should also be released around the same time as part of a 40th anniversary edition of that album (I'm not sure of the formats on that one yet, but most likely a more modest CD/DVDV combination).

Also, Marillion's 18th album Sounds That Can't Be Made will come out next month. Here is the first single, "Power", a song already familiar to American audiences after becoming a staple on their first tour of the U.S. in quite sometime.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aZxKeANsIw&feature=relmfu

And the EPK for the album, with previews of every track, artwork, and interviews with the band.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8WhkyuipSE&feature=channel&list=UL

[onthewall2983]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhtx_N7fjk8&feature=player_embedded#!

New most awaited release of 2012 for me.

[onthewall2983]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FBcz3tBH74&feature=related

[onthewall2983]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/12717_494430090580852_2120927824_n.jpg

This sounds...interesting

[Maximilian]

Always thought it was interesting that Daryl Hall's first solo album was a collaboration with Robert Fripp, it sounds exactly like what you would think if both of them got together:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235nPzFOXSY

[Vertigo]

For some reason, when I saw this thread I assumed it must be about a TV show in which a bunch of left-wingers live on a mountain.

[onthewall2983]

I knew they worked together before, but didn't bother until now to listen to it. Kicking myself a little for not giving it a chance until now, but I'm very impressed. One of the interesting things to come out of the progressive movement is that there were bands able to mix what made Prog so unique with a genuine pop sensibility. ELO, Supertramp and some others that escape me fit this bill perfectly. It's also what I like about Marillion, is that they revere the classic pop music and alternative bands (they've covered U2 and REM in concert quite a few times), while still doing longer numbers and instrumentally being very sound.

Continuing in that vein, I'd be remiss not to mention Kevin Gilbert. He met a sad (and controversial) end, which can be read about here (http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/More-Than-The-Piano-Player-Dumped-by-Sheryl-2966770.php). He was jaded by the record business for various reasons stated in that article, and it's reflected on his 2nd (and posthumous) solo album, The Shaming Of The True.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvUDmuxmzk0

He was also a huge devotee of progressive rock, especially Gabriel-era Genesis. The following video is from a performance of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway with his band Giraffe. Apparently the leather jacket he is wearing here was actually Peter's, given to Kevin by Rosanna Arquette (briefly mentioned in the above article).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Ml1QDdNZ0&feature=related

[onthewall2983]

For those interested, I highly recommend reading Prog (http://www.progrockmag.com/) magazine. Loads of articles of bands old and new and interesting reviews that go beyond the borders of what people generally accept as "prog". I have the iPad app which is wonderful, and cheaper than buying the magazines themselves I believe.

[onthewall2983]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7htQGx_eaXk

Love this band, looking forward to it's release. Former Porcupine Tree drummer Chris Maitland is behind the kit on this, and from what I'm gathering from this video he'll fit right in.

Speaking of PT, it looks like Steven Wilson is working with Hawkwind now (https://www.burningshed.com/store/progressive/product/483/4650/). Never thought I'd see him share credits with Lemmy on something.

[onthewall2983]

Been digging even deeper into Camel lately. Hell of a band.

[Maximilian]

Oh yeah, Camel is fantastic. Andy's vocals aren't that good, but it somehow doesn't cheapen it for me. Instrumentally brilliant.

[Jinsai]

I've been on a random 70s prog tangent lately. I'd always had a hard time getting into most of the classic progressive rock bands because of the uncomfortable moments where they teetered into outrageous melodrama, but I've come around and I'm finding all that stuff quirky and endearing.

Lately I've been all about Soft Machine.

[Maximilian]

I was listening to this on vinyl yesterday. Prog on....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrc-MHgtjTY

[onthewall2983]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmXwPip839Y

This made me smile. I've been meaning to write a big long tribute to Yes here, and might do it soon but words escape me at the moment.

www.voicesforyes.com

I submitted my entry with little provocation.

[onthewall2983]

Big Big Train.

English Electric (Part One) (http://bigbigtrain.bandcamp.com/album/english-electric-part-one)
English Electric (Part Two) (http://bigbigtrain.bandcamp.com/album/english-electric-part-two-cd-quality-audio)

Quite simply some of the best new (relatively speaking, they've been around for 20-plus years now) progressive rock I've heard since getting into Steven Wilson, via Porcupine Tree. These two records are along feel like everything the genre was, is and should always be. An amazing achievement.

[onthewall2983]

Phish want to perform The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway with Peter Gabriel (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/phish-hope-to-perform-genesis-album-with-peter-gabriel-on-halloween-20130821). Would be very interesting to see how they would pull it off, I'd imagine the audience not familiar with the album would be quite bewildered seeing it.

[thevoid99]

Phish want to perform The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway with Peter Gabriel (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/phish-hope-to-perform-genesis-album-with-peter-gabriel-on-halloween-20130821). Would be very interesting to see how they would pull it off, I'd imagine the audience not familiar with the album would be quite bewildered seeing it.

That would be fucking awesome. Add Steve Hackett to the performance and that would be even more special.

[allegro]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmXwPip839Y

This made me smile. I've been meaning to write a big long tribute to Yes here, and might do it soon but words escape me at the moment.

www.voicesforyes.com

I submitted my entry with little provocation.
Yes brings back SOOOOOOO many 70s memories (mostly clouded by pounds of pot)

Especially the below song. OVER EIGHT FUCKING MINUTES LONG and they used to play it on the radio all the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tdu4uKSZ3M

[allegro]

Ohhhhh this one, too

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uJM7TdshUbw

[onthewall2983]

Two prog cruises in 2014. Great lineups, but I'm still not convinced any kind of cruise/concert package is a great idea.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BSYDhC1IgAAM0LC.jpg:large

https://sphotos-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/996901_654398864572105_1218217767_n.jpg

[Lerxto]

Is anyone here into Fish's new studio album? I think it's great! One of his finest solo releases.
Also autobought Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisted Live 3cd/2dvd. Can't wait till October.

[onthewall2983]

I have to admit I've never gotten into Fish, as I'm not as big a fan of that period of Marillion as they have been since he left. I am a little curious about his solo efforts though, because he's gotten some interesting names (Steven Wilson worked on at least one of them I believe).

A band I found online a long time ago and loved (before they even got a record deal), Norway's Airbag has announced the release of their latest record The Greatest Show On Earth. Their guitarist runs the site gilmourish.com which strips down David Gilmour's technique, and he replicates those classic parts perfectly. The band has a huge Floyd influence in their sound but it remains interesting on it's own.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1209243_10151660221136129_1249613710_n.jpg


Airbag are ready to release their new album called ’The Greatest Show on Earth’. This is their third album on Karisma Records and after two highly acclaimed albums, ‘Identity’ (2009) and ‘All Rights Removed’ (2011), the new release is of course a much-anticipated album.

Airbag are continuing their journey through atmospheric sounds and serious topics, creating cinematic pictures and bringing out emotions, pulling the listener into their world. ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ is a cohesive album with strong emphasis on musical themes and arrangements. The listener is treated to a wide sonic experience, from massive walls of sound to ambient textures and soulful soundscapes. The lyrics deal with the individual and its growing feeling of alienation and distrust in society and the established authorities. At the same time, we are manipulated and kept in a comfortable state of mind, believing we’re in control of our self-centered lives.


Bjørn Riis (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, co-producer), Asle Tostrup (vocals, keyboards, programming, producer, graphic design), Henrik Fossum (drums), Jørgen Hagen (programming, keyboards) and Anders Hovdan (bass), together with engineer and co-producer Vegard Sleipnes, have with ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ managed to raise the music of Airbag to the next level. It has taken about 18 months to finish this album, but quality and musical craftsmanship are the essence in this production. This is a record that is a bit rougher and with some heavier parts than before, but still giving us the classic Airbag sound…


Tracklisting:


1. Surveillance (part 1) 02:23
2. Redemption 07:02
3. Silence Grows 05:54
4. Call Me Back 11.15
5. The Greatest Show on Earth 07:02
6. Surveillance (part 2-3) 16:45
Total playing time: 50:21


The record will be available in following formats:


Standard jewel case CD
Ltd edition vinyl replica style CD
Double vinyl, gatefold cover
Double vinyl, gatefold cover, ltd edition white vinyl
Digital download


CD’s and Vinyl will very soon be available to pre-order…

[onthewall2983]

King Crimson is back (http://www.dgmlive.com/news.htm?entry=4335).

[thevoid99]

King Crimson is back (http://www.dgmlive.com/news.htm?entry=4335).

Good, I hope Robert Fripp got his finances back in order. Bill Rieflin... awesome.... uh... where's Adrian Belew?

[onthewall2983]

Belew's absence is telling me they're going in a different direction. Jakko Jakszyk is a good singer and guitarist in his own right, and is more attuned to the earlier KC material (he in fact fronted a group of former KC members playing the 1969-75 material for awhile). So if this gets off the ground it could owe more to those earlier records than anything else.

[Maximilian]

Yes, a massive change-up is what is needed anyway.

I'm psyched about it and am surely glad Mr. Fripp didn't actually go into retirement.

[onthewall2983]

uh... where's Adrian Belew?

From his Facebook


questions and answers.

q: are you in the new King Crimson planned for next september 2014?


a: no. after 32 years I am no longer in King Crimson.


q: were you asked to be in the new King Crimson?


a: no, I was not. robert informed me in an email that he was starting a 7-piece version of the band. he said I would not be right for what the band is doing.


q: so, how do you feel?


a: "happy with what I have to be happy with". which is quite a lot.


I'm busy creating something I've wanted to create all my life, something which has never been done. FLUX: never the same twice. creatively I'm exploding with new ideas, songs, and music. in 60 days I'll be touring south america with my beloved Power Trio and next spring I'll be touring europe with Crimson Project, which is a celebration of the crimson music
tony, pat, and I have help create. life is great.


q: what would you like to say to crimson fans about the new King Crimson?


a: my advice is to check it out and if you like it: support it.
and on that note: thanks to all of you for your continued support of my music.
cheers!

[onthewall2983]

A new Yes box set from Atlantic The Studio Albums 1969-1987 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAQW2RS/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=03XHD4H5R48263VTGPWM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846), will be released around Christmas (December 24th in the U.S.). I feel a little conflicted about it with the recent reissue of Close To The Edge on Blu, but the price is very tempting (and very cheap for 13 CD's). I would recommend it if you are a fan who could do without the bells and whistles.

[onthewall2983]

First big release of 2014 I'm looking forward to. These guys always put out high quality, high energy music with a classic edge to it.

http://www.radiantrecords.com/images/thumbs/0000725_300.jpeg


Progressive-rock super-group Transatlantic, featuring Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas will release their brand new fourth studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ on the 28th January 2014. "This is right up there with the best of them for me" says Neal Morse. "Some reviewers have said they think it's better than The Whirlwind, which is pretty high marks in my view." Mike Portnoy says “I can't believe we did it again! The magical chemistry in this band never ceases to amaze me...Following up The Whirlwind was always going to be tough, but I think we have done it again with flying colors!! (no pun intended) : ) Prepare yourself for another epic Prog journey....”

Main Disc:
1 Into the Blue 25:11
2 Shine 7:26
3 Black as the Sky 6:43
4 Beyond the Sun 4:29
5 Kaleidoscope 31:53


Bonus Disc:
1 And You and I 10:43
2 I Can't Get It Out of My Head 4:43
3 Conquistador 4:10
4 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 3:16
5 Tin Soldier 3:21
6 Sylvia 3:49
7 Indiscipline 4:43
8 Nights In White Satin 6:12


Pre-order details (http://www.radiantrecords.com/products/483-transatlantic-kaleidoscope.aspx)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tU4EdoD30Kg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmKsVDUv9_4

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3x_qMcIRbdU

[Maximilian]

Quite enjoying this one:

Edited because they took it down. :p

[Madmya]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wz5U0QkNtw

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQbO9cCfHIc

From 1975, an English comedian's novelty song...featuring members of Genesis and King Crimson. Phil Collins explained the recording session on his website...


"It did indeed feature Robert Fripp, Percy Jones, Keith Tippett, me and Peter G. A friend of Pete's, Martin Hall wrote the song, or possibly co-wrote it with Peter, called You Never Know. Apparently Charlie Drake, who was a huge comedy star of the 50s and 60s, wanted to make a record. How he ended up with this line-up I have no idea! It seems the most obscure set of people to make a comedy record. On the day Charlie, who was quite small, turned up with a brand new denim outfit for his rock debut... it was quite touching to see him at it. Percy Jones and I were already in Brand X by then. The whole session was one of life's interesting snapshots!"

[onthewall2983]

http://img.mp3rally.com/imager/w_500/h_/000248bfe46c2d5ab35f0baa11c56abd.jpg

One of my favorite releases of last year, a nice combination of space-rock lyrical motifs, tight musicianship and modern production values.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t1U3rFjQu8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mVm4uc_zHmM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8TGFsLXoRo

(I would be the first to agree that the latter two videos are a bit silly, but the songs are worth listening to at least).

[onthewall2983]

Finally getting into Beardfish, a band from Sweden that combines psychedelia, heavy metal and Frank Zappa influences into something a little more silly but nonetheless engaging.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ-KYaBQGRY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-euq4DsMIA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRldjhFXeM8

[onthewall2983]

The next album in the series of Yes albums remixed by Steven Wilson for Blu-ray and DVD has been announced - The Yes Album

https://www.burningshed.com/covers/large4297.jpg

CD/Blu pre-order

https://www.burningshed.c...sive/product/494/5539/ (https://www.burningshed.com/store/progressive/product/494/5539/)

CD - New Stereo Mixes:

1. Yours Is No Disgrace
2. Clap
3. Starship Trooper: Life Seeker / Disillusion / Wurm
4. I've Seen All Good People: Your Move / All Good People
5. A Venture
6. Perpetual Change

Additional Tracks:

7. Clap (Studio Version)
8. A Venture (Extended)

Blu-Ray (Region 0, NTSC):

Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio

- Album mixed in 5.1 Surround
- New Album mix
- Original Album mix (flat transfer)
- New Album mix (instrumental version)
- Alternate version of The Yes Album drawn from live tracks, singles edits & an extended mix

Plus further audio extras some exclusive to the Blu-Ray edition.

NTSC, all regions, LPCM playable in all Blu-Ray players & Blu-Ray drives

CD/DVD-A pre-order

https://www.burningshed.c...sive/product/494/5540/ (https://www.burningshed.com/store/progressive/product/494/5540/)

CD - New Stereo Mixes:

1. Yours Is No Disgrace
2. Clap
3. Starship Trooper: Life Seeker / Disillusion / Wurm
4. I've Seen All Good People: Your Move / All Good People
5. A Venture
6. Perpetual Change

Additional Tracks:

7. Clap (Studio Version)
8. A Venture (Extended)

DVD-A (Region 0, NTSC):

- Album mixed in 5.1 Surround from original multi-track sources.
- New Album mix in High Resolution Stereo
- Original Album mix (flat transfer) in High Resolution Stereo
- Alternate version of The Yes Album drawn from live tracks, singles edits & an extended mix

NTSC Region 0 hybrid DVD-A, compatible with all DVD players & DVD-rom drives.

[onthewall2983]

Questlove admitting his love of Gentle Giant on Twitter last night while meeting Derek Shulman is pretty damned cool.

[Lerxto]

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/15/ian-anderson-end-of-jethro-tull
So Jethro Tull's over. Not surprising but....

[Fixer808]

Was raised on Prog, been getting back into it lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yUN6CsuVPw

[Fixer808]

More Genesis...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fllf-WMB0hY

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft7gE1k2ic0

Nice doc on the Gabriel years, oddly enough narrated by Ray Wilson, Phil Collins' replacement as singer on their last album. The channel itself has a lot of rare Genesis TV stuff, interviews and docs mostly.

The bare minimum of what I'd recommend to anyone wanting to get into classic prog would be anything Genesis or Yes recorded from 1970 to 1977. Some King Crimson and ELP as well, but those two bands during those years made some really astonishing albums that still hold up today.

[Fixer808]

ELO and Alan Parsons Project, too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNiie_zmSr8

[Fixer808]

Pink Floyd, as well. I love the Arthur C. Clarke book this song is named for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRTyt0okJak

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjv7c_dMHKA

This looks good, I read that he sought out Mike Oldfield and Tom Newman (the producer of this and Oldfield's Tubular Bells which served as major inspiration for this) before recording and got their blessing to do it.

[elevenism]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ00yMycpI8

people argue with me over whether or not Type O counts as prog.

i say fuck yes.

[Maximilian]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ00yMycpI8

people argue with me over whether or not Type O counts as prog.

i say fuck yes.

I'd say no, they're a mix of Black Sabbath, The Beatles, shoegaze and hardcore.

One of my top five bands, easily.

[onthewall2983]

Genesis is getting back together...for a BBC documentary

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/99482521/Genesis+2014.jpg

Genesis and the BBC have been working together over the last few months on GENESIS: TOGETHER AND APART

A feature length documentary on one of the most successful bands in rock history. From its first beginnings as a band of songwriters in the late 1960s to its final incarnation as a rock giant in the 1990s – via full-blown theatrical progressive rock in the mid-1970s and the subtler jazzy pop of the early 1980s – Genesis could perplex and enrage the die-hards, whilst exciting and exhilarating the newer disciples.

Made with the full co-operation of Genesis, the film reunites all original members of the band together – Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford – for the first time since 1975.

The film recounts an extraordinary musical story, exploring the band’s songwriting as well as emotional highs and lows, alongside previously unseen archive material and rare performance footage across their entire career.

Transmission date to be confirmed.

That's not exactly true about the 5 of them being together for the first time since '75. They were part of a reunion concert to help Gabriel's world-music charity in 1982, they got together (with other past members as well) for a photo shoot in 1998 (you can see clips of it in a video I posted here earlier), and a year later they recorded (albeit patched together from different parts of the world) "The Carpet Crawlers 1999" for a greatest-hits package.

[thevoid99]

I just hope this would lead to a few reunion shows. I understand Peter Gabriel's reluctance to do a big tour. I would rather prefer that the band would do some shows in the U.K. and then some shows in the U.S. and that's it.

[onthewall2983]

I'd much rather hear Gabriel do The Lamb with Phish.

[onthewall2983]

In other news Tony Banks looks a lot like my step-father in that pic.

[henryeatscereal]

Never thought i would see Gabriel and Collins in the same picture again...

Hopefully this is good timing for remastering/reissuing the first Genesis albums (specially "Foxtrot")

[onthewall2983]

They did that already in 2008. They're all out individually, but I shelled out the cash for this (http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-Box-Set-1970-1975-Disc/dp/B001EO2UJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403065532&sr=8-1&keywords=genesis+1970-1975) and don't regret it.

[onthewall2983]

Found this on Twitter and thought why not post it here. I'm already collating the list in my head. This will surely be a more definitive and interesting list than anything done before, at least moreso than the one done by Rolling Stone.

http://prog.teamrock.com/news/2014-06-25/what-is-the-greatest-prog-album-of-all-time


The time has come, we have decided, to finally answer the question: what is the greatest prog rock album of all time?

Is it a classic of a bygone era? Do In The Court Of The Crimson King, The Dark Side Of The Moon or Selling England By The Pound still hold up over forty years after their creation? Or have more recent generations stamped their authority on the genre? Where does Marillion's Misplaced Childhood or Brave sit in the over-all equation? Did the 90s prog metal boom make much of an over-all impression on listeners? And what of today's successful progressive artists? Where do the likes of Steven Wilson, Opeth and Anathema fit into things?


Now is the chance for Prog readers to have their say as we compile the ultimate list of the 100 Greatest Prog Albums Of All Time. It's easy to get involved. Just e-mail us your list of your top ten favourite prog albums of all time. Make sure you give us a sentence for each choice as to why you've made it - you never know, you might find yourself in print when we publish the results.


And simply e-mail your list to us here. We'll be publishing the list in a future issue of Prog. Closing date for entries is Friday 4 July. We look forward to seeing all your choices.

[henryeatscereal]

I'm betting "Dark Side of the Moon" will win... anyway i'm sending my list also...

*EDIT*

My final list (no particular order...)

- Pink Floyd - Meddle
- Marillion - Fugazi
- King Crimson - Red
- Yes - Close to the Edge
- RUSH - 2112
- Steven Wilson - The Raven that Refused to Sing
- Mastodon - Crack the Skye
- Goblin - Suspiria
- Jethro Tull - Aqualung
- Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Pictures at an exhibition


...obviously i left out many great albums like "Freak Out!" by Zappa, "Thick as a Brick" by Jethro Tull, "Ghost Reveries" by Opeth, "In the court of the Crimson King" by KC, "In Absentia" by Porcupine Tree and "Snow" by Spock's Beard, what the hell...

[onthewall2983]

Since it's 100 I'm fairly confident at least 8, if not all of these will make it in. If I could choose 20, there would be at least 1 more Genesis, 2 more Yes, and 1 more Floyd. I'd also put The Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed, Dream Theater's Metropolis 2: Scenes From a Memory (which I know will be a lock anyway since DT have a huge online presence and will be all over this list), and probably another King Crimson or Camel album or two. But I'm satisfied with this list. I'll email it soon as I lock down the right writing for each record I have in my head.

1. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here.
2. Yes - Close to the Edge.
3. Genesis - Selling England by the Pound.
4. King Crimson - Red.
5. Steven Wilson - Insurgentes.
6. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon.
7. Genesis - A Trick of the Tail.
8. Marillion - Seasons End.
9. Camel - The Snow Goose.
10. Porcupine Tree - Deadwing.

[henryeatscereal]

^Shamefully i'll admit i've never heard "The Snow Goose" (I just know "i can see your house from here" and "Mirage"), if it made your list i gotta check it out!

[allegro]

I'd pick ELP's "Brain Salad Surgery" over anything else they did

Come on, it has Karn Evil 9!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQsZOQqO6I

[pulse]

Well this list is all about "favorites," which allows me to be less subjective. Yeah, I'm a Pink Floyd homer. Sue me....

01. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
02. Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
03. King Crimson - Red
04. Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
05. Opeth - Still Life
06. King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King
07. Yes - Close To The Edge
08. Pink Floyd - Animals
09. Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Short
Stories)
10. Rush - Moving Pictures

And before anyone starts barking about growling vocals not belonging in Prog, I say get over it. Still Life is easily one of the greatest progressive albums ever made. It's just flat out damned gorgeous and deserves to be on any list. He growls. Yeah, that actually works on the concept of this album. The growls equate to pure fucking sorrow in lost love, death and regret. A bloody damned masterpiece. Oh, and The Raven is my favorite progressive album since Still Life, but I can't get it up any further than 9. Again, too many favorites on this list I simply adore. As for the Prog genre(s), I just don't think the times allow for there to ever again be the era that was the 1968-1978 (Pink Floyd, Genesis and King Crimson). That was the most experimental time in music history and nobody did it better than those three bands.

[onthewall2983]

I don't think death metal growling in prog isn't much of a controversy, and I don't think I've seen one. Or I've probably just avoided such conversations. It's all silly, prog at it best is something that can accompany every musical genre.

[allegro]

You guys are forgetting Van der Graaf Generator and Gentle Giant in the top lists.

[onthewall2983]

What's in your list?

[allegro]

Jeez, I'm still thinking, I dunno. I'm not good at lists, I can't make up my mind. I keep editing the list.

edit: Okay, here's some of my favorites, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

* Yes - "Fragile"

* Emerson, Lake & Palmer - "Brain Salad Surgery"

* Traffic - "John Barleycorn Must Die"

* Traffic - "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys"

* Pink Floyd - "Wish You Were Here"

* Pink Floyd - "Animals"

* Supertramp - "Crime of the Century"

* Jethro Tull - "Thick as a Brick"

[henryeatscereal]

^Supertramp is a great band but i've always considered them more on the "pop" side of things with prog sensibilities...

"Brain Salad Surgery" is an awesome album but i've always had a soft spot for "Pictures..." maybe it's because it was the first EL&P album i've ever heard!

Unsurprisingly "Red" by King Crimson gets chosen a lot!

I also left out many bands like "Tangerine Dream", "Magma", "Transatlantic", "Dream Theater", "Traffic" and "Asia", that's the thing i hate about these lists...

[onthewall2983]

I like some of ELP, definitely a lot of Brain Salad Surgery. Trilogy is another one I quite liked, along with some of the earlier stuff. I guess for me where the cutoff is is that it's heavily dominated by keyboards where some of the other bands mentioned share the lead duties and some with no keys at all. That said, some of what the individual guys have been doing with ELP material outside of the band has been interesting. Carl Palmer is in an instrumental band now with a guitarist doing all of Keith's stuff, and Keith himself is in a more traditional 4-piece band.

And for awhile, Keith was in a short-lived supergroup called The Best. I'm not making this up.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTEmldzx1xE

[onthewall2983]

Just a reminder, the email address is prog@teamrock.com and submissions are due by the 4th.

[henryeatscereal]

I'm going to either download or order a copy, since that particular magazine doesn't arrive here (i really miss Tower Records...), i just had some random numbers of "Classic Rock" that i found by chance a long time ago

[onthewall2983]

If you have an iPad issues are only 5 bucks a piece. Not sure about other devices but that's the only one of the Apple devices you can get it on. Even then I'm not sure if it's available on iTunes in Mexico. I see copies of it at Barnes & Noble.

[henryeatscereal]

It's not available in itunes mexico but can always order, problem it's the fucking shipping costs that make the f'n magazine 3 times more expensive... also i still like to own the "Physical" magazine, it's crazy because i have a bunch of old magazines in my room always but i'm old school in that way...

[onthewall2983]

They come with CD's (all of Team Rock's mags do apparently), so that obviously adds to the price. I'm curious, is there Barnes & Noble in Mexico?

[henryeatscereal]

They come with CD's (all of Team Rock's mags do apparently), so that obviously adds to the price. I'm curious, is there Barnes & Noble in Mexico?
Nope, the "mexican version" of it would be a store called "Sanborn's" they bring all kinds of books and magazines, in some selected Sanborn's you can even find british publications like "Q" or "Classic Rock", but i've never seen a single issue of "Prog", maybe if i go south of the city i can find something

[onthewall2983]

Just thought I'd throw in another reminder that lists are due on the 4th.

[onthewall2983]

The new Yes album is pretty forgettable and bland I'm sad to say. In a time where this genre is going through something of a cultural renaissance, that when a band so paramount to it's initial development puts out something so ordinary it's a little troubling.

[onthewall2983]

https://www.rushisaband.com/images/201408/3160.f.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/BuUTuZbCYAAzzyD.jpg

http://www.dgmlive.com/diary/photos/Progmag2.jpg

[spegettiwestern]

No love for Gentle Giant, guys!?

When I was a teenager I would say a particular group of bands really shaped my musical taste to what it is today and I'd definitely put King Crimson, anything Parliament-Funkadelic related and Yes in that group.

[pulse]

Prog Magazine Top 100

1. Close To The Edge – Yes
2. In The Court of the Crimson King – King Crimson
3. Selling England By The Pound – Genesis
4. Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
5. Thick As A Brick – Jethro Tull
6. Foxtrot – Genesis
7. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
8. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – Genesis
9. The Raven Who Refused To Sing – Steven Wilson
10. Fragile – Yes
11. Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
12. Red – King Crimson
13. Moving Pictures – Rush
14. Animals – Pink Floyd
15. 2112 – Rush
16. The Wall – Pink Floyd
17. Scenes From A Memory – Dream Theater
18. Fear of a Blank Planet – Porcupine Tree
19. Relayer – Yes
20. Misplaced Childhood – Marillion
21. A Trick of the Tail – Genesis
22. Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes
23. Hemispheres – Rush
24. Pawn Hearts – Van Der Graaf Generator
25. Images and Words – Dream Theater
26. Going for the One – Yes
27. Deadwing – Porcupine Tree
28. Tarkus – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
29. Brave – Marillion
30. Larks Tongues In Aspic – King Crimson
31. The Snow Goose – Camel
32. The Yes Album – Yes
33. Lateralus – Tool
34. Bridge Across Forever – Transatlantic
35. In the Land of Pink and Grey – Caravan
36. Blackwater Park – Opeth
37. Meddle – Pink Floyd
38. English Electric – Big Big Train
39. The Whirlwind – Transatlantic
40. Script for a Jester’s Tear – Marillion
41. Nursery Cryme – Genesis
42. Trilogy – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
43. Aqualung – Jethro Tull
44. Wind and Wuthering – Genesis
45. Colours – Between The Buried and Me
46. Ghost Reveries – Opeth
47. Clutching at Straws – Marillion
48. The Incident – Porcupine Tree
49. A Passion Play – Jethro Tull
50. Grace for Drowning – Steven Wilson
51. Mirage – Camel
52. Marbles – Marillion
53. A Farewell to Kings – Rush
54. The Mountain – Haken
55. Journey to the Centre of the Earth – Rick Wakeman
56. Acquiring the Taste – Gentle Giant
57. Crack the Skye – Mastodon
58. Moonmadness – Camel
59. Weather Systems – Anathema
60. Tubular Bells – Mike Oldfield
61. De-loused in the Crematorium – The Mars Volta
62. Aenima – Tool
63. The Parallax II – Between The Buried and Me
64. Operation Mindcrime – Queensryche
65. Octopus – Gentle Giant
66. In Absentia – Porcupine Tree
67. Insurgentes – Steven Wilson
68. Rock Bottom – Robert Wyatt
69. Permanent Waves – Rush
70. Discipline – King Crimson
71. Atom Heart Mother – Pink Floyd
72. Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
73. Godbluff – Van Der Graaf Generator
74. Hot Rats – Frank Zappa
75. Free Hand – Gentle Giant
76. Songs from the Wood – Jethro Tull
77. Crime of the Century – Supertramp
78. Still Life – Opeth
79. Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
80. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence – Dream Theater
81. Leftoverture – Kansas
82. Subterannea – IQ
83. Still Life – Van Der Graaf Generator
84. Remedy Lane – Pain of Salvation
85. UK – UK
86. Six – Mansun
87. OK Computer – Radiohead
88. Snow – Spock's Beard
89. Awake – Dream Theater
90. Afraid of Sunlight – Marillion
91. Damnation – Opeth
92. The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth – Rick Wakeman
93. Storm Corrosion – Storm Corrosion
94. War of the Worlds – Jeff Wayne
95. To Our Children’s Children’s Children – The Moody Blues
96. Lizard – King Crimson
97. Voyage of the Acolyte – Steve Hackett
98. Tago Mago – Can
99. Moving Waves – Focus
100. Drama - Yes

Most listed...

7 - Yes
6 - Genesis
6 - Marillion
6 - Pink Floyd
5 - King Crimson
5 - Rush
4 - Dream Theater
4 - ELP
4 - Jethro Tull
4 - Opeth
4 - Porcupine Tree

[onthewall2983]

The one from the ten I voted on that didn't make it was oddly enough a Marillion record. Seasons End is a fantastic album, up there with Marbles as their best for me. However, not too surprised at the preference given to the Fish albums.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8ZhN_qoI1s

There's a lot on here that I've never given much attention too before, but I figure now is as good as time as any to. One I've been meaning to get around to is Haken's The Mountain which I've heard nothing but raves about.

[Lerxto]

87. OK Computer – Radiohead
This was a prog album? Well.. at least I don't think so.

[onthewall2983]

Neither is Sgt. Pepper really, but both albums are considered hugely influential to the genre. A lot of the relatively newer progressive bands and artists cite Radiohead as huge inspiration.

[onthewall2983]

^Shamefully i'll admit i've never heard "The Snow Goose" (I just know "i can see your house from here" and "Mirage"), if it made your list i gotta check it out!

The first self-titled album, Moonmadness, and Rain Dances are the other ones I'd highly suggest to you. And A Live Record, their first live album which includes a full live version of Snow Goose with the London Symphony Orchestra.

[Krazy]

This was a prog album? Well.. at least I don't think so.


Neither is Sgt. Pepper really, but both albums are considered hugely influential to the genre. A lot of the relatively newer progressive bands and artists Radiohead as huge inspiration.

I was thinking the same thing before I saw these quotes- pretty sure I'm done attempting to figure out what prog is and or isn't. :P

[onthewall2983]

It's not a huge leap to make to see that Radiohead are a progressive band, in the strictest sense of the word. Members have counted Pink Floyd, Kraut Rock, and Miles Davis' Bitches Brew as influences. Plus they have pushed boundaries, different to the ones the old school bands did, but new avenues of expression nonetheless.

[henryeatscereal]

I agree with you "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts club bans" isn't a prog album but it was higly influential to all the psychedelic movement and prog rock, same goes to "Ok computer" that can be considered a prog-pop album.

I liked the list but find the lack of italian prog rock disturbing...

[Mataxia]

"De-loused in the Crematorium" lol

Probably not their best album but doesn't surprised me that it's the one that made the list.

[onthewall2983]

This year's Prog Awards were tonight in London. Transatlantic's Kaleidoscope won album of the year, Andy Latimer of Camel recieved a Lifetime Achievement Award, and this year's Prog God went to no other than...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxSUXuVIIAA9gsO.jpg:large

I'm sure he got a lot of Genesis questions from that crowd lol.

[dvdglss]

a little late to the party, but my personal all time Prog album favorite is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D3OhdEMKiU

[onthewall2983]

From Transatlantic's upcoming live release KaLIVEoscope


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWBQo3r050g

[botley]

I got to watch two whole hours of this last night. From on stage.

Adrian Belew Power Trio http://youtu.be/XKWy8xbj3Uo

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F32vXXurX48

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIXn0YvtMso

[henryeatscereal]

Are you a fan of Anathema, onthewall2983 ?
I'm getting to know them and liked what i heard so far, nothing to scream about but i'm interested enough to consider ordering their album...

[onthewall2983]

http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/threads/684-Anathema Yeah.

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdSZCvS-qQg

The title track from the new EP by Big Big Train, undoubtedly my favorite active progressive band right now.

[onthewall2983]

Yes' Chris Squire diagnosed with Leukemia (http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/05/19/chris-squire-yes-leukemia/27571503/). Billy Sherwood, a long-time collaborator of his in and out of Yes will play bass with the band on their summer tour with Toto.

[henryeatscereal]

Today i bought the "Minstrel In the Gallery" remaster (obviously Steven Wilson had to do with it but i already liked the band plus: my dad doesn't own that one, lol...)

It's a good album, much in the vein of "Aqualung", i was just familiar with the title track (since it comes in the 2 disc compilation of Jethro Tull i already owned), speaking of "Aqualung", i'm aiming to buy the 2011 remaster, i already own it on the 96' release but after hearing Wilson's work in "Minstrel" i have to hear his mix, i got no complains on the 96 varsion but i've heard the 2011 mix is miles better.

I wish JT got more respect (at least out of the "progressive community") they are a truly underrated band with awesome classics like "Mother Goose" (favorite song), "Too old to rock n' Roll...", "Thick as a Brick", "Aqualung" and "Living in the past"

/Rant

[Sutekh]

started a new job recently, boss's brother in law is mike rutherford!

I've been told not to bring up phil collins

[onthewall2983]

From the Steven Wilson Remixes Facebook page.


Universal Music Group (https://www.facebook.com/UniversalMusicGroup) have announced a 14 disc Steve Hackett (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Hackett/123101228589) box set for October release called Premonitions, that will cover his time with Charisma Records (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charisma-Records/109519842407171) between 1975-83, including the first 4 albums in newly created 5.1 surround sound versions.


Unfortunately I was only able to remix 2 of these into discrete surround since the multitrack tapes for the other 2 albums could not be located, so instead I created surround sound upmixes from the stereo masters using Penteo Surround (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Penteo-Surround/195759736363) software (which nevertheless came out sounding very immersive and worthwhile). All of the remixing was supervised and approved by Steve. More news and confirmation of contents soon I hope.


Sounds pretty good. Hopefully the upmixes will live up to what he's telling us. Meanwhile here's a taste for some who may not be familiar with his work outside Genesis.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQGuwK9xXrA

[sentient02970]

I completely understand this article's approach at listening to Yes. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style/wp/2015/05/28/the-epic-tale-of-listening-to-seven-live-concert-recordings-by-the-band-yes-in-a-single-day/)

[Maximilian]

RIP to undisputed prog rock luminary Chris Squire.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chris-squire-dies-yes/

[onthewall2983]

Fragile the next Yes album to be reissued, remixed and remastered. Coming out October 30th. (http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/steven-wilson-remixes-yes-classic-album-fragile/)

[Al_Hunter]

Anyone in here dig The Pineapple Thief?

[henryeatscereal]

Anyone in here dig The Pineapple Thief?
I like them, not a "hardcore fan", tbh, but i think they are a very good. "Magnolia" was a great album and i'm happy they nominated them for the latest Prog Awards...

[Al_Hunter]

I like them, not a "hardcore fan", tbh, but i think they are a very good. "Magnolia" was a great album and i'm happy they nominated them for the latest Prog Awards...

Have you heard Wisdom of Crowds, the album Bruce Soord did with Jonas Renske of Katatonia? It's very good. A definite grower

[henryeatscereal]

Have you heard Wisdom of Crowds, the album Bruce Soord did with Jonas Renske of Katatonia? It's very good. A definite grower
I wasn't aware of it but i just downloaded, will let you know my thoughts this week!

[Al_Hunter]

I wasn't aware of it but i just downloaded, will let you know my thoughts this week!
Give it a few listens before forming an opinion. I really liked it but haven't listened to it now in ages.

[onthewall2983]

BBC: Progressive music gets an official chart '45 years too late' (http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34127025)

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9jSzTMGCXE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFAqzBo6DbM

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX5X19aHZ2M

This band represents, to me, everything prog was, is and should always be.

[seasonsinthesky]

I AM SO INTO SPOCK'S BEARD AND YES RIGHT NOW. Obsessively. I just got into both and it took off like a bloody rocket!

Observations:
- Close to the Edge is amazing top to bottom – but I actually got into it from bottom to top. It flows better imo.
- I can't pick which Tale (or which Topographic Ocean?) I like best. What a monument. Or four monuments.
- "Awaken." No other words necessary.
- The Light is an incredible work. The title track alone is just perfection.
- I had gotten into the newer SB via the insanely catchy "Edge of the In Between," but the earlier stuff is the mindblower material.
- "At the End of the Day." Again. Nothing else necessary to say.
- "Crack the Big Sky" as well. Marvelous.

[onthewall2983]

I like the Neal Morse era of Spock's Beard, but kind of dropped out when he left. I've heard good things about several of their albums after he left though.

I would implore you to get into Big Big Train. The drummer for Spock's Beard during the Neal years (and would take over for him as lead singer when he left) now plays with them.

[onthewall2983]

The Guardian: The weird worlds of Roger Dean, prog rock's artist in residence – in pictures (http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/oct/21/roger-dean-somewhere-near-here-prog-rock-album-covers-in-pictures)

[onthewall2983]

http://www.thedividingline.com/

http://auralmoon.com//

Two very awesome internet radio stations, that have both been going on for over 15 years now. The Dividing Line is more singularly devoted to progressive rock as a genre, and Aural Moon goes a bit further and weirder with what they play.

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_i-uqGNzgU

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoZ_Lg21b14

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPmsFoWU-UE

[Lerxto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPmsFoWU-UE
Is Big Big Train good? I never tried their music, because I just haven't got the chance. Could you recommend an album to start with?
On topic, I just bought Ian Anderson's Homo Erraticus 2CD/2DVD Deluxe Edition & the Tour Edition together.
I wasn't so keen on Ian Anderson's solo works compared to Tull but they're really growing on me recently.

[onthewall2983]

English Electric: Full Power ​is hands-down their best work.

[onthewall2983]

Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin are at work on a collaborative project, and will likely do some live shows this year and tour in 2017. (http://prog.teamrock.com/news/2016-01-19/rabin-anderson-wakeman-taking-a-fresh-approach)

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0FuFfcCZiE

[Patrick_Nicholas]

RIP yet another prog legend.

[onthewall2983]

Invention of Knowledge, a collaboration between Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings and Transatlantic, will come out this June (http://teamrock.com/news/2016-03-17/jon-anderson-roine-stolt-join-forces-on-invention-of-knowledge)

[onthewall2983]

http://youtu.be/U8MzlCvQqn8

[onthewall2983]

https://www.burningshed.com/covers/large5892.jpg

Folklore 7:33
London Plane 10:13
Along the Ridgeway 6:12
Salisbury Giant 3:37
The Transit of Venus Across the Sun 7:20
Wassail 6:57
Winkie 8:25
Brooklands 12:44
Telling the Bees 6:02



An epic progressive rock tour de force, BBT's tenth studio album is its most ambitious yet.
Breathing new life into traditional themes and creating a few new ones along the way, the crafts of melody and storytelling beat strongly at the heart of the Big Big Train and inform every track on Folklore.
Featuring an eight piece band and brass quintet - augmented by a string quartet - the album provides a superb showcase for David Longdon's emotional vocals and the band's dramatic extended compositions.

[onthewall2983]

The next classic Yes album with a new remix from Steven Wilson will be Tales From Topographic Oceans, with Steve Howe recently saying it'll come out later this year.

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D9YF3e4Gac

[onthewall2983]

U.S. Dates announced for the first tour of Anderson Rabin Wakeman, scheduled for this Fall (http://bravewords.com/news/jon-anderson-trevor-rabin-and-rick-wakeman-unite-reunite-to-form-anderson-rabin-wakeman-arw-an-evening-of-yes-music-more-tour-announced)

[onthewall2983]

Folklore is a very good album, but for me it's still very much over-shadowed by the English Electric material. I'm glad it's doing well for them (it charted high in the UK and elsewhere I believe) though.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ8KqJJJJhk

I've been hearing a hell of a lot about this band. This video is kind of corny, but the song is quite good. For progressive metal which I mostly could do without, it's quite good.

[onthewall2983]

Some more Big Big Train, this was just uploaded. Probably the highlight of English Electric


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saA2bMLvD2g

[Substance242]

Not easy to search for "Archive" :-), so here it is, new Archive song. First I was like "WTF..." but, give it a try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFOw2bM4mi8

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR948ak4VjM

[seasonsinthesky]

Check out the new Fates Warning album Theories of Flight. Not a wasted second upon't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsjKUt_ESdU

[scumflesh]

Some good, less famous, progressive bands:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfXu8nmzj5A

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xiwtl-ljUI0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6-2bXKPwE

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHemaK7FgeU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMB4pUpDOjI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPpCIt2NaQs

[onthewall2983]

Neal Morse's new album The Similtude of a Dream arrives November 11th. Mike Portnoy has said it's the best album of his long career, which considering everything he's done is quite the statement.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbzl46CuPiM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8GdH59yuD8

[sentient]

I'm a huge Yes fan but I just can NOT get into the post-Anderson work. Feeling a bit sad about that.

[onthewall2983]

Their last album really sounded uninspired, which is sad to me. In this period of rejuvenation of the genre, you'd think they would be more inspired. I think now that Chris Squire has passed away, they should just call it a day. Or at least that Alan White and Steve Howe reach out to Anderson, and possibly Wakeman and Rabin to see if the five of them can do something to maybe put a bow on it.

[onthewall2983]

First peek at the next Big Big Train album, which arrives April 28th


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHqopyuKYUE

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPN2DttzlZQ


APOLLO: The ancient Greek and Roman God of music and poetry. SONS OF APOLLO: The new supergroup featuring members of Dream Theater, Mr. Big, Guns ‘N Roses, and Journey.
For the past few months, rumors have been circulating about a new secret project including former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian. Now, the time has come to make the grand and highly anticipated introduction to their new band, SONS OF APOLLO.


Reuniting to form SONS OF APOLLO, Portnoy and Sherinian have joined forces with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force). Their debut album, PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY, will be released October 20 on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.

PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY was produced by the dynamic production duo of Portnoy and Sherinian, also affectionately known as “The Del Fuvio Brothers,” which is the nickname given to them over 20 years ago during their time together in Dream Theater.


SONS OF APOLLO got together very organically, as Portnoy explains: “Derek and I reunited shortly after I left Dream Theater in 2010 and we put together an all-instrumental touring band with he and I, Billy Sheehan, and Tony MacAlpine. That was my first time working with Derek since the ‘90s when he was in Dream Theater and it was just great to be working with him again. Ever since that tour, which was really just a one-off live thing, he has been nudging me to start a real, original, full-time band. The timing just had never been right, because I had too many other things on my plate. Long story short, the time was finally right to take the bait and put together a band.”


“Mike and I work at a relentless pace in the studio,” continues Sherinian. “The music is modern, but we have an old school soul. What is unique about SONS OF APOLLO is that we have true rock n’ roll swagger along with the virtuosity-- a lethal combination!”


But what to call the next great supergroup? “Derek was mainly the one behind the name,” says Portnoy. “I have a list that I keep on my phone of about a hundred different band names, which I constantly have to refer to every time I have a new band every year (laughs). So, I pulled up the list and Apollo was one of the names on the list. It was a word that both of us really liked. We started fiddling with different variations of the word. One of the original band names we were working with was Apollo Creed, the character from the ‘Rocky’ movies, but after lots of different discussions on different variations, Derek suggested SONS OF APOLLO and it seemed to stick. Apollo is the God of Music so with that in mind it seemed like a fitting name.”


Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian and Billy Sheehan previously toured together in 2012 and 2013 as PSMS (along with guitarist Tony MacAlpine), playing all instrumental versions from each of their previously recorded music. SONS OF APOLLO is the next logical progression by adding a vocalist and creating all-original material. The band incorporates the progressive style and individual technical prowess that Portnoy & Sherinian shared together in Dream Theater combined with the swagger and groove of Van Halen, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.


“I have known Mike and Derek for a long time, so when they came to me with Sons of Apollo, I jumped on this straight away,” says Thomas Waber, Label Manager/A&R International of InsideOutMusic. “However, the album they ended up recording exceeded my already high expectations by a long mile! We couldn’t be happier about it!”
SONS OF APOLLO will hit the road in 2018 for their first worldwide tour.


“This is a real band,” Portnoy declares. “This is going to pick up for me and Billy where The Winery Dogs left off, in terms of this being the next logical full-time thing for us. I’m not saying The Winery Dogs have broken up, because we haven’t, we’re just on a break. SONS OF APOLLO is absolutely going to be a full-time band and we plan on touring all over the world all throughout 2018 and, honestly, it is the priority for all five of us.”
Sherinian agrees, “We will go on a worldwide crusade in 2018 to bring SONS OF APOLLO to as many people as possible. Apollo was the God of Music, and we are his mighty offspring!”


www.facebook.com/SonsOfApollo1
www.Twitter.com/SonsOfApollo1

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1juPj3YEiTw

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=104&v=FlAgruuf-64

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm_TcAAySbc

[Boots]

I've decided to become a Pink Floyd fan. I plan to listen to all their albums after I get back from the lake. I've never seen them in concert, but I went to a Pink Floyd laser light show in middle school. I'm starting a new chapter in my life. :)

[Jinsai]

Yes - Close to the Edge

/thread ;)

[onthewall2983]

The Yes Album and Going For The One are just as good to me. Really not an ounce of fat on any of those records, and worked to their strengths.

Hawkwind's new record Road To Utopia features Eric Clapton on one track (https://www.loudersound.com/news/hawkwind-announce-new-album-road-to-utopia)

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFxH4kky6z4

From their new album Distance Over Time​, out February 22nd

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zkPD8vsKgM

First time Portnoy and Rudess have shared the stage since MP left Dream Theater.

[onthewall2983]

I AM SO INTO SPOCK'S BEARD AND YES RIGHT NOW. Obsessively. I just got into both and it took off like a bloody rocket!

Observations:
- Close to the Edge is amazing top to bottom – but I actually got into it from bottom to top. It flows better imo.
- I can't pick which Tale (or which Topographic Ocean?) I like best. What a monument. Or four monuments.
- "Awaken." No other words necessary.
- The Light is an incredible work. The title track alone is just perfection.
- I had gotten into the newer SB via the insanely catchy "Edge of the In Between," but the earlier stuff is the mindblower material.
- "At the End of the Day." Again. Nothing else necessary to say.
- "Crack the Big Sky" as well. Marvelous.

Just curious, are you still into SB? I'm getting back into the Neal stuff in a big way lately. I'm listening to a recording of a show they did on the Kindness Of Strangers tour and just a few minutes into any of those songs you can tell how well-oiled a machine they were on the road, with energy and charisma to spare. The tag of being kind of a throwback to Genesis or Yes maybe hampered their reputation as a live band, but man were they on fire.

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw2wz-7cEp0

This looks epic

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsPYRMwOW-s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcG-6cNwRF8

[eversonpoe]

Shadowfax (who i've always put more into the jazz category, i guess?) have been putting a bunch of previously unreleased stuff up on streaming services over the last month or two. three live albums and a "lost years" compilation. lost years is super proggy and really, really good. sounds more like frank zappa than shadowfax but i'm totally fine with that.

[armogi]

New klone album is out soon and they are on kscope too now, hoping they can reach more people, new single is really strong:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL9KeXozxW4

[diptych]

I jusr found out (behind the times as I am) that my favorite band broke up. This sucks. These guys were awesome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaKuz4lgRGQ&t=1371s

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1UEHTMHkxM

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxDSBKNl54I

Watched this earlier in the week. A really mammoth performance all around, doing justice to his and his old band's music. This piece and "Shadow Of The Hierophant" from his first solo album really stand out for me.

[onthewall2983]

Rick Wakeman releasing new instrumental album in April. (https://www.loudersound.com/news/rick-wakeman-reveals-new-prog-album-the-red-planet)

A new book came out in the UK today (and it will be out here next week) called A New Day Yesterday: UK Progressive Rock & The 1970s. I've heard some really solid reviews for this, especially from Sid Smith who's own updated tome on King Crimson I'm mid-way through now.

[onthewall2983]

https://youtu.be/hGD7EKQv2Rw

[onthewall2983]

CHX2wh2HLwi

CI6etwBjMtx

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWP4JLUxiqY

[henryeatscereal]

New Marillion album "An Hour Before it's Dark" it's a great listen!

https://superdeluxeedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cover-3.jpg

[onthewall2983]

Mike Portnoy rejoins Dream Theater (https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/dream-theater-reuniting-drummer-mike-portnoy-studio-album-1235453904/amp), and is playing a set with awesome jam band Umphrey’s McGee next week